| Author: | | New Member Registered: May, 2020 Location: Evansville, IN Posts: 17 | | Review Date: October 3, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $440.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | solid build, focus mechanics, will hold its value | | Cons: | heavy - cervical muscle spasm | |
I am not a pro but this is a fabulous lens, found it on ebay, a bit marked up with some character, comes with it's leather soft lens cover and it exudes quality.
So far just used on night sky / moon, have not attempted deeper sky photos yet.
This is a heavy heavy bright fast lens with a built-in tripod mount and it makes for an easy clear viewfinder, a pleasant focusing experience, and excellent images. Its hood is removable, but attaches solidly. The focus ring is smooth and stays where I left it. The Adaptall-2 system functions well with the K-3. The adapter (with A mode capability) cost me an additional $25.
Moon image on crop sensor camera, so equiv FL around 450, then cropped some more
ISO 100, f8 1/160
 | | | | | | | Forum Member Registered: May, 2015 Posts: 74 | | Review Date: April 28, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $480.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp, Fast, Beautiful Bokeh, Small for vintage 300 2.8 | | Cons: | None | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: Nikon D300
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After seeing the pics that do this lens absolutely no justice, I had to do a review to show other pics from this beauty. This is a rare, cult status lens made only in 1983 white edition. If anyone knows how many were actually made please PM me.
I just picked this lens up from KEH last week. They are great btw. I have been a customer since '88. I have found that they always under rate their gear. This lens was rated 'ex' but it arrived damn near mint w/ all accessories. I don't think it was ever used at all. The glass is perfect on the inside and out. There are no marks on the body or lens hood. Hold out until you find a clean one.
I'm a retired pro. In the 90s, I used a rental from Schillers camera St louis. It was a super beat up Tamron 60B for a Ralston Purina shoot. I remember really liking it. I was concerned the 107B wouldn't be as nice, or sharp...I was wrong. This lens is super sharp with or without the rear filter, unlike what I have read on the Tamron reviews. The rear filter adds warmth (Canon). Without the filter it is slightly blue (Nikon). I have a friend who has the same lens. His is the same as mine, regarding the sharpness.
These pics represent the first week of owning this lens. It is very bright and fast even in low light. The 300 2.8 Bokeh is to die for, always has been if the lens is great. It is heavy but small. I find it easy to hand hold vs a monopod. I have better luck that way and prefer to hand hold it. The linear focus isn't noticed when not on a tripod. The focus ring is smooth and precise. It has the usual vintage Tamron slight purple CA in more direct sunlight. This was noticed without the lens hood in use. The 60b has three more elements for IF, but the same two SP elements.
No TCs used. Some images are heavily cropped.
           | | | | | New Member Registered: May, 2016 Posts: 2
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 21, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $777.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Nice bokeh, fast, tripod mount, tank | | Cons: | Heavy | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 7
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-50,K-1
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First - forgive me if something is ununderstood. English is not my native language 
This is my very first review. I hope it will not be my last
I saw the Tamron 107b sales advertisement on one Finnish site. It was on sale with Pentax 1,7x af adapter. It already has Pentax K-mount adapter attached to it. Price was 750 .
It caught my eye from the first moment. I am not a proffessional photographer but I love to try and learn all the new (especially old new) things. So I decided to give it a try.
I asked about this lens from as many good photographers I knew and did a lot of research via Internet.
I could not resist the temptationd to try this big tank.
I did not see this lens myself before buying it. I sent my husband (or partner, weīre not married) who works in Finland to get it for me. He drew all day to the seller and back I only sent money to him.
When I got the first pictures from a carseat on a way back I was very happy to see it has also hard leather box. The guy was selling his Pentax gear because he went over to Canon-side. I instantly asked what else he got... I also bought 2xL teleconverter with 100 euros. I donīt have any lens to try with it but I just could not leave it alone behind. I might get some more lenses for this one or sell it to some Pentax-lover. So, thank you, Pertti! Maybe you are/were also a member. I really love it!
It is quite heavy, real tank. It has tripod mount. I havenīt used it much yet but first dates with it have been joyful.
It is possible to turn focus ring with my left hand. It might be a bit stiff on the edgesbut I donīt mind.
I wish I could get outside much more. Since it is December and quite dark and mostly cloudy outside, also my days go by at work in daylight, I wait for late winter and spring time.
I add some example photos I took on the first night to try (not very elaborated - sorry) and some of my first birdie-animal photos.
I am still learning and want to improve my skills. So I promise to show more soon
Now I am looking for nice gimbal head to use it with
Some very first examples used with 1,7xAF adapter:
https://flic.kr/p/P8bKDD - lights were moving a lot due to stormy weather.But I really wanted to try
https://flic.kr/p/PMNRkL
https://flic.kr/p/P5ohiG
https://flic.kr/p/Qcfpmy
Only Tamron 107b with K-1, all handheld:
https://flic.kr/p/PLAmKu
https://flic.kr/p/QkAGfi
https://flic.kr/p/NvtK1g
https://flic.kr/p/QaqNCe
https://flic.kr/p/P4hnzw
Here is my Flickr album where are some more photos:
https://flic.kr/s/aHskNMQhjU | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: September, 2011 Location: Nelson B.C. Posts: 3,782 | | Review Date: November 29, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $795.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Ease of focus, IQ | | Cons: | Heavy, awkward if handheld | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 6
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 6
Value: 9
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The focus ring is right behind the tripod ring so to hold it in your hand to shoot and hold the end steady is a bit of a challenge. If you hold it out and use your thumb to turn the focus ring it is possible. I use it mostly on a monopod and with practice have been able to get good shots.
The paint finish seems to be easily damaged. My copy works very well but looks pretty beat up.
Focus is easy and fast. It does not have internal focus.
The images are good. On my copy CA is not a problem. One shot of branches against a cloudy sky showed some green fringes around the edges but not in the center. A shot of an off white wall on a house at a long distance shows some red fringing on the higher contrast lines.
Both photos are cropped. The bobcat was from 250 feet away. Default Bibble processing. F2.8
The later versions of this lens are said to have better optics, and that may well be. I have no way to compare. I'm quite happy with the results so far. The manual suggests using a filter, adaptall-2.com suggests that it softens the images. I have yet to experiment.
Update:
After using the lens for a while, I have more opinions
Wide open with high contrast there is some aberration and softness. They go away by f5.6. In low light this lens really shines. Quite sharp wide open, bright viewfinder for focus.
The position of the focus ring is difficult. The balance point of the lens and body is close to the middle of the focus ring. With an arca swiss plate and gimbal, all the hardware is centered at the bottom of the focus ring.
Paired with a 140f TC I get good results. Aberrations are a bit worse, but stopping down gets rid of them.
The focus throw is very tight. A minute change in turning the focus ring makes a large difference. On one hand it helps for getting close to focus quickly, but to get very clear focus is a challenge.
Wide open the bokeh is buttery and smooth. Very nice. But stopped down to f8 it gets choppy and unpleasant.
I'm changing some ratings down a bit. Aberrations and handling and bokeh. Still good value for a 300 f2.8. I'm still convinced that the results I get are more a reflection of my skills than the lens. Considering what I paid and what it does, good value.
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